The last time, on March 5, he guaranteed the Huskies would return and hang up a banner. On Friday night, at First Night, the 2014 championship banner took its place with the other three UConn has won in men's basketball and the nine in women's basketball.

"I said we were going to hang a banner, and the only people who believed it were right here in this gym," Ollie told the packed house. "People are scared to play us here because of you."

Ollie said he ran a hard practice Thursday, then told the players to lighten up and have some fun on First Night.

"In preseason practices, you've got your ups and downs," Ollie said. "You start putting in plays, and a lot of guys are thinking now instead of reacting. As time goes and they understand what I want and what our coaching staff wants, things are going to get better. You don't look at the picture now, you look at the totality and realize everything is going to get better. We're yelling a lot because they're turning the ball over a lot."

Sam Cassell Jr., who has been impressing with his versatility in practices, sustained a contusion on his lower left leg. "Right on top of the ankle," Ollie said. "I think he's going to be fine, it's just a deep bruise. We're going to take our time, because we need everybody healthy."

Cassell was in a walking boot and did not participate in the scrimmage, but, using his upper body, was one of the most impressive and enthusiastic dancers when he was introduced. Cassell said he just landed awkwardly in practice this week. "It's going to be day to day," he said. … UConn assistants Ricky Moore and Kevin Freeman carried out the 1999 championship trophy, which they helped earn. Taliek Brown carried out the 2004 trophy and Charles Okwandu the 2011 trophy; they were on those teams, respectively. … Among the alumni moms in the crowd: Kemba Walker's and Shabazz Napier's. … The intros ran long, so the three-point shooting contest was scrapped. … Rodney Purvis scored 10 points for Team Kevin, hitting 5 of 6 from the field, but they lost to Team Geno, 38-37.

Go inside UConn First Night where the championship banners for the 2014 men's and women's national titles were reveled.

Go inside UConn First Night where the championship banners for the 2014 men's and women's national titles were reveled.

Training camps, exhibition games are going on, the season is around the corner. But Ray Allen is still home, and seems to be enjoying it.

"I've just been home, taking my kids to school," said Allen, who has been contemplating whether to retire after 18 seasons in the NBA. "I'm working out, taking care of my body. I'm in great shape. I'll just watch how the season progresses, and if I do feel the desire to continue to play, then I'll decide what situation is viable for me."

Allen, 39, who played at UConn from 1993 to 1996, was on campus for the opening of the new $40 million basketball training facility, and for First Night festivities. He has played for the Bucks, Celtics and Heat, and is the NBA's all-time leader in three-point shooting. Since last season ended with the Heat losing to San Antonio in the NBA Finals, Allen has been noncommittal. Numerous reports have had him signing with Cleveland to rejoin LeBron James, others have had him joining the Spurs.

It appears he will prepare on his own timetable, rather than go through the rigors of a training camp. He says he could be ready to play in about a week.

"I still feel certain aches and pains; that's definitely old age," he said. "To be able to run, and back off a little bit, lift, and back off a little bit instead of going at it 100 percent all the time like I've been doing has helped."

Napier, meanwhile, is in training camp with the Heat and has been impressing so far.

"He's looked good," Allen said. "I've tried to stay in his ear. I told him my rookie year was the most frustrating and aggravating of my whole career, because you go from being 'The Man' to trying to find a role, maybe playing off the bench."

A large mural of Allen as a UConn player dominates the main entrance to the new facility, which was named after the Werth Family, donors of about $7 million. In Allen's day, UConn practiced at the old fieldhouse.

He received a thunderous welcome at First Night.

"Everything I've done in the NBA is because of what I did on this floor," he told the fans.

Recruiting Update

UConn hosted 11 recruits at First Night, but most of visits were conducted with an eye to the future.

Steve Enoch of Norwalk, the 6-10 forward currently at St. Thomas More, and Jalen Adams, guard now at Brewster Academy, were the only Class of 2015 recruits expected. They have already committed to UConn. Adams was on an official visit; he didn't take one before committing.

From the Class of 2016, UConn had V.J. King, a 6-7 small forward from Virginia, considered a five-star recruit

From the Class of 2017 there was Nate Pierre-Louis, a point guard from New Jersey, Tremont Waters from New Haven, point guard now at South Kent; Jermaine Samuels, forward from Massachusetts; Omari Spellman, a 6-9 forward from Ohio and Jordy Tshimanga, a 6-10 forward from Springfield, Mass.

From the Class of 2018, UConn hosted Nazreon Reid, a 6-9 forward from Asbury Park, N.J., and Louis King, 6-6, also from Jersey. They're teammates at Roselle Catholic.

UConn is still hunting for Class of '15 talent, however. Diamond Stone, 6-10, from Milwaukee, one of the top recruits in the entire class, made an unofficial visit in June and is expected to return for an official visit later this month. Competition for Stone is intense, but UConn seems still very much in contention.

They are also waiting on Isaiah Briscoe, a 6-3 guard from New Jersey who visited a couple of weeks ago, Tevin Mack, small forward from South Carolina who visited last weekend, and Chris Clarke, small forward from Virginia who visited in September. UConn would be thrilled to get two of those four to go with Adams and Enoch.